Looking for a pair of every day tennis shoes that don’t wear out within 3-6 months

Submitted by leavin_marks t3_11iomxb in BuyItForLife

It seems shoes are getting made increasingly cheaply nowadays because the past 2 years or so I have had trouble finding a pair of tennis shoes that I can wear to work every day that don’t wear out within 3-6 months. Either the outsole goes bald, the insole develops holes in the heel and big toe areas, or counter lining rips around my heel. I’m not a heavy guy, I weigh around 170 pounds. Apparently I must walk really hard or something. Does anyone have any recommendations for a shoe (preferably with a non-white outsole option) that will last at least a few years?

Edit:

Some of the shoes I’ve tried include: Adidas Cloudfoam Pure, Nike Revolution 6, and Champion Legacy Lo Slip-On Sneakers

1

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

librarianjenn t1_jazb1r7 wrote

Wearing the same pair everyday is a big part of the problem. Get a few pair if you can afford to, and alternate.

Edit to add: you are right though, they’re more cheaply made today, but this will help them last longer.

14

tyboth t1_jbfouyi wrote

What the difference between buying a pair that will last a year and 3 pairs that will last 3 years except that you can chose which pair you'll wear everyday? How do you save money?

1

librarianjenn t1_jbfqu49 wrote

Well, you save yourself time, by buying them at once, but the real reason is that shoes last a bit longer when they're not worn everyday. They have time to air out, and this helps maintain the shape of the shoe and stay in better condition, longer.

1

coldfootwpulses t1_jazapuj wrote

i have a pair of adidas samba that i bought in 2016 and wore them everywhere, especially when i travel (15-20K steps a day). they are still in great shape without any obvious breakdown. obviously they're indoor soccer shoes, not tennis.

i would also suggest look at companies that have 6 months warranties (or longer) - last time i checked salomon had such a policy - if your shoes wore out within 6 months, send them an email and photo and they send you a new pair.

6

leavin_marks OP t1_jazbfbv wrote

I’ve heard those recommended before, I’m just always wary of flatter shoes, they tend to be more uncomfortable for me. The last two pair of adidas I had (Adidas Cloudfoam) wore out in 4 months so I am also suspicious of their quality, but maybe the sambas are a step up.

2

coldfootwpulses t1_jazcaay wrote

i think you may benefit from buying shoes in real shoe stores with warranty info clearly discussed prior. most shoe stores have consignment so they really don't care if they give you a store credit back if your shoes wore out within 6 months (the company will happily eat the cost). and most running shoe brands have 6 months return policy.

3

leavin_marks OP t1_jazd35y wrote

What do you mean by real shoe stores?

2

coldfootwpulses t1_jazddv9 wrote

like your neighborhood running shoe store. or a tennis shop that carries tennis shoes. probably not a chain store but some good chain stores will also honor those warranties.

2

leavin_marks OP t1_jazeawa wrote

I honestly have never seen one of those anywhere around me. We have a lot of specialized sneaker head stores, or a lot of chain shoe stores (Rack Room Shows, Foot Locker, Famous Footwear) but I’ve never seen a specialized running shoe shop or tennis shop. I’ll have to do some digging, but with a quick google nothing seems to come up. Thanks for the advice.

2

caskey t1_jazbckz wrote

Shoes are made incredibly cheaply now days. You'll just have to get used to regularly replacing them.

6

DrinkNKnowThings t1_jazblji wrote

I've had good luck with Merrell shoes holding up really well.

On the flip side I watch for cheap Costco addidas or pumas for everyday. Like $19 on mark down.

6

Willing_Ad6659 t1_jb1370s wrote

I was going to chime in with Merrell as well. I put mine through absolute hell and they hold up a fantastically. I spent over $100 for my first couple of pairs at a local store. They were well worth it. Then I found the Merrell store on Amazon. The exact same model of shoe was on closeout for $45. Obviously I bought another pair.

1

CysticBacne t1_jb0pmfm wrote

I used to sell shoes back in the day. A lot of what you're describing, particularly the insoles and liners tearing, sounds like improper fit. If it's too loose around certain parts of your foot, you step down, the shoe stops moving, but your foot slides a tiny bit. This drastically increases wear. Might not hurt to go down half a size/tighten your laces a bit more.

5

Ayrwynn t1_jazc633 wrote

More for running than tennis, but my Altra shoes have held up very well the last five years and have none of the usual wear areas I've encountered in the past, like blowing out the outer sides (I overpronate). Some of this is due to them being a zero-drop style, and also larger in the toe box area.

3

curiosa863 t1_jazfbuy wrote

My wife’s whole side of the family swear by Altra. I think they are hideous, but they rave about them. My FiL just got his 2nd pair, they are the only shoes I’ve ever seen him wear, he got the same ones in a new colorway after 5+ years of every day wear.

1

SeaOfDoors t1_jazxi90 wrote

A good pair of tennis shoes that last longer than a few months should cost twice as much as the ones you listed. Well over 100 US dollars. With tennis shoes, the cheaper the shoe the faster they'll wear out.

Not sure if they do this in other countries, but in the U.S., if you go to a local running specialty store, you can walk on a treadmill and have your gait analyzed for free. Most running stores do this nowadays. You don't have to be a runner to have your gait analyzed, walking is fine.

Once they know your gait and whether you overpronate, supinate or are a neutral walker, they can recommend the exact kind of shoe you need. Be willing to spend at least 100 dollars if not more though. This is the best way to find a shoe that doesn't breakdown so quickly.

3

BryonyVaughn t1_jb61vsq wrote

I was going to suggest this. Glad I scrolled long enough to find your comment. Fit to foot and stride is critical to getting shoes that can last.

1

Apprehensive_Egg9659 t1_jb2ijot wrote

Campers are a little pricy but I had a pair last for over 20 years before I retired them and I didn’t actually throw them out, I gave them to my friend’s teenager who thought they were so “retro” she could not believe that I wore them frequently and they didn’t really age. I’m hard shoes too, the inside rear sole of every other shoe wears down pretty quick. My camper’s didn’t wear down like other shoes. So yeah, they are pricy but they are an investment that will last way beyond what you paid.

3

Own-Safe-4683 t1_jazcu3f wrote

I think it depends on your commute. Do you walk to a train or bus station or drive? When I commuter by train I went through shoes fast.

2

Gator_Tail t1_jb0a0ng wrote

My nobull trainers are 5 years old and holding up great to workouts, general wearing and walking.

2

leavin_marks OP t1_jb0jd80 wrote

I can’t believe I didn’t think of them. My wife has a hair of nobull trainers, and I really like their design. Might have to try them.

1

Maplesyrup57 t1_jb0qbr0 wrote

Lems trailhead. Awesome. You can feel how well they are built immediately. Wide toe box, be sure to get the ones that are actual suede, and I would suggest getting the optional cork insoles. Been my daily wear for months now.

2

akohhh t1_jb0sbat wrote

Buy two pairs of shoes and rotate them, if you can afford to. Should get more life out of them because they have a chance to air out and recover in between wears. Eg, you might get a year out of the 2 rotating pairs, instead of needing 3 pairs for 4 months each.

2

MonalisaMakeupMomma t1_jb0t4hn wrote

Columbia. I've had mine for 3 years now. They are trail shoes but they've taken an absolute beating

2

Trenhardbjj t1_jb31cma wrote

I bought a pair of merril trail shoes about 6 years ago that have been my daily driver for that whole time and have had little to no wear and tear

2

zombienudist t1_jb657rv wrote

Shoes with big foam/synthetic soles break down over distance not time. Running shoes are usually 300-500 miles. Bigger hiking boots are 1000. Even if the upper is fine the sole material compresses and stops working properly. It won't matter what you spend likely. You have to be careful here as people have vastly different use patterns. I run so I go through a pair of running shoes every 6-12 months. Doesn't matter how much you spend or what you buy. It is the use that causes it to fail. Remember that there will be people that say buy X but they might only wear those shoes on the weekend so they will last far longer. The only way to get a longer lasting shoe is to go with a more traditionally made shoe with a leather foot bed. But then you lose the benefits of the modern shoe - immediate comfort, support, etc.

2

ITDad t1_jazetvm wrote

Try looking into hiking or trail shoes. Merril or Obi will last you. If there’s an REI store in your area, it would be worth checking out.

1

amadoros67 t1_jazllxl wrote

Asics.com has a big selection of shoes on sale, instead of splurging on 1 pair get a 2 or 3 not so expensive pairs and swap them out every couple of days. That will extend the life of the shoes and your feet will thank you, you change your socks and undies everyday, you should also rotate your shoes.

1

johnyyhopkins t1_jb89sej wrote

Youre buying cheap models of the brands listed. Spend closer to 100-120$ original msrp of those brands and youll have a much higher quality shoe

1

leavin_marks OP t1_jb8a27e wrote

To be fair I’ve always bought the “cheap” models. Stuff usually under $75. It’s only the bast few years they have started to wear this fast. I used to get at least a year out of them.

1

johnyyhopkins t1_jb9o8rn wrote

Thats true. There was a shift wherein the big brands began to cheap out on their lower tier models and sell them to budget places (tj maxx, outlets, etc).

1